Rail link snapped: Blast derails goods train near Rangiya

GUWAHATI, July 30: Twelve bogies of a goods train carrying cement from Satna in Madhya Pradesh to New Guwahati were derailed in a powerful explosion on the railway line in between Rangiya and Ghograpar Railway stations around 5.10 am today. The engine of the train was also damaged in the blast. However, no one was injured, according to reports received here. Railway sources said that the powerful explosion created a crater of 10 metre diameter and five meter depth in the area and damaged 200 metres of the track, cutting off train communication between Guwahati and the rest of the country. Sources said that the repair of tracks started at around 11 am and it would take about 24-hours to complete the repair works. Though the identity of the insurgent outfit involved in the sabotage is yet to be ascertained, Army sources suspect the involvement of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants in the blast. Army sources told The Assam Tribune this evening that the militants triggered off the blast with a remote controlled device. Sources said that sophisticated explosive materials like RDX were used in the blast. Sources said that the Army and the police have launched a massive combing operation in the area to nab the militants involved in the blast. A number of persons have been rounded up for questioning in this connection. Sources also pointed out that this was the first major act of violence by the ultras in that area after the killing of the PWD Minister Nagen Sarma in February last. Meanwhile, Railway sources revealed that at the time when the blast took place, the nearest passenger train was the Guwahati bound Abadh Assam Express, which was scheduled to pass through that point at 5.40 am. Sources said that the security engine engaged for patrolling of the track passed through that point at around 3.40 am and another goods train passed through a little ahead of the ill-fated train. The Delhi bound Rajdhani Express, which left Guwahati railway station at 6 am was scheduled to reach the blast site at 6.45 am and it returned from the Agiyathuri station. The passengers of the Guwahati bound Abadh Assam Express, Kanchanjhungha Express and the Chennai-Guwahati train were transhipped to Guwahati by bus and the passengers of the Bangalore Express were taken to Bongaigaon by bus, sources said. Sources revealed that the Up Rajdhani Express, which was scheduled to arrive at the Guwahati Railway station at 8.30 pm was controlled at the New Jalpaiguri Railway station, while, the Guwahati bound Northeast Express was controlled at Alipurduar and the Dadar-Guwahati Express was controlled at New Coochbehar.